Names › Boys' names › D › David

David

Meaning: beloved · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

Hebrew for 'beloved' — the shepherd who became King of Israel, immortalised in Michelangelo's statue.

Famous people named David

King David
David Bowie (musician)
David Beckham (footballer)

Nicknames

Dave, Davy

Variants & related names

Dawid, Davide, Dafydd, Dávid

David name art

A free preview of a printable “David” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name David mean?

David means “beloved”. It comes from Hebrew.

Is David a popular name?

Yes — David has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for David?

Dave, Davy.

What are other forms of David?

Dawid, Davide, Dafydd, Dávid.

Similar names

Reuben · Joaquin · Elliott · Noah · James · Elijah

More: names starting with D · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.